But think of the hurdles.

PCMCIA interface would have little use beyond P2 and older computers
DVCProHD is 100mbps compared to XDCAM 35mbps. It seems Convergent Design can handle 100mbps using Flash cards though.

I use an imac .. no PCI Express slot & have been frustrated unloading large files from 16 GB Ultra ll cards via DigiCard USB SD reader.

So recently took a punt & ordered a MicroU2E-MV USB 2.0 - USB ExpressCard 34|54 Adapter to try with MxR adapters with Sandisk 16 GB Ultra ll cards.

Works a treat - plug in MXR with Ultra ll card .. very much faster than the SD reader - currently $34 US from: PC Card, ExpressCard, and FireWire Devices, Synchrotech

Can you be more specific? I use Sandisk 12 in 1 reader for SDHC and I get 2x with ClipBrowser CRC on and 4x with CRC off. I can't imagine getting much faster than 4x.

Using MicroU2E-MV USB 2.0 - USB ExpressCard 34|54 Adapter with MxR, I timed transfer of 3.87 GB file - 210 seconds = Approximately 18.42 MB per second.

With or without CRC checking in ClipBrowser?

That's about the same speed I'm getting with my Sandisk 12 in 1 reader with CRC off. That's about 4x.

Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader Writer SDDR89A15 in Flash Memory Card Readers at JR.com

The Sandisk Ultra II is rated at 15MB/s read but I've tested them to about 19MB/s

which is what we're both getting more or less.

I guess the one advantage is you don't have to take the SDHC our of the MxR.

Sorry, not very familiar with Clip Browser CRC function, I mainly use XDCAM Transfer app .. yes it is a small convenience not having to remove the SD card.
yeah

BIG MISTAKE if you're not backing up your BPAV folders!
Transfer app rewraps to MOV. You're going to have a tough time handing those off to a non Final Cut Pro user (and it WILL happen unless you're only doing your own projects).
You also run the risk of a corrupted copy which is what CRC checks for.
You're also going to run into problems if you have a clip spanned across multiple cards.

Thanks for tip , but I always archive BPAV if it's important footage.

10 out of 10 for Ross
 

Just to say that 10 MxR cards arrived today - and the 10 cards work absolutely fine in my EX1s, thank you Ross. Have married them with 10 Transcend 16gb cards and test recorded them all.

Any further word on a case for the MxR cards? And also possibly - labeling suggestions for the MxR adaptor itself?

Ross

As far as MxR card holders and cases go, I'd suggest you looked at the Pelican series of SDHC card holders. Of course, they're Pelicans, so waterproof, etc., but they're incredible pieces of gear - bar that one Achilles heel that all of these bags and cases seem to have - and that is that you've got to put a piece of gaffer's on the top of it to identify which one is which.
I have four little Pelicans and four of the little Case Logic soft zippered cases. The Pelicans take 2 rows of 4 cards, the Case Logix, 2 rows of 3. Everything is black. No space or provision for labeling.
You can see how things can get confusing, especially fir the DIT who's doing all the handing out and collecting of cards...

So yeah, yellow! fantastic! hard cases please - think "dropped from 3ft (pocket height) an average of 60 times a day". Think label space - or at least a flat spot for the gaffer's tape. Think waterproof or at least moisture proof.

Maybe Pelican will get their act together and come out with something?
But until then...

Cheers!
Chris

EX-3 update to firmware
 

Hi Ross,

my Sony PMW EX-3 the firmware is v1.02_0078

How do I update to firmware of the EX-3 to use MxR?

And to firmware it be not updated, doesn't MxR work?


Thank you

As I mentioned in your post; you don't need to update the firmware on the EX-3 to use MxR Cards. It's the EX-1 that needs a firmware update. I use the MxR Cards without issue on my EX-3 and I haven't updated my firmware.

Hi Eduardo,

I have tested the MxR against the latest version that is being installed here in Australia, as of Thursday this week, and it was version 1.03-0082 and it worked fine.

As others have said you won't need to update the firmware on the EX3, as it is a newer camera, and it already allows USB to talk to it.

But if you do decide to go to a later revision, it works fine.

Ross,

I have just received an e-mail saying... that you are no longer selling the MxR cards? I was thinking of buying some more off you.

My understanding as of just an hour ago is that Ross is indeed still selling the MxR cards; I'll let Ross clarify this for himself, but so far these are the *only* Express Card adapters that have the official DV Info Net blessing.

If anybody here was spammed by email with statements to the contrary, then I apologize if that originated from some other member here... I'm not saying we're responsible for it, but I am taking steps to prevent that sort of thing from happening.

Hi Graeme,

As Oscar Wilde once said, “reports of my untimely demise are somewhat exaggerated”.

Graeme, it's business as usual. E-Films are selling MxR-Express cards as usual, handling support questions as usual, and trying to provide the best service we can, again as usual.

E-Films is as committed now as we have ever been to the MxR-Express card, and it's future, no change there.

You may not be aware, but we have hinted on the DVinfo site, a range of new products coming down the line shortly, and we're hoping their launch will coincide with NAB.

So I've got two cards here with your name on them. Can you hear them calling out, "Graeme come and get us".

Give an MxR-Express a good home today.

Actually it was Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens), who, upon reading his own obituary in the New York Journal, said, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

I know - you Aussies get the Irish and the Yanks mixed up.

Say, that's right, it was Mark Twain, but it was witty enough to be Oscar Wilde!

This is the price you pay for too much time in the edit bay. It's got nothing to do with age, ok.

I believe that statement was also uttered by Sir Paul McCartney once as well... a bit more recently than Wilde or Twain though (thanks Ronn for setting us straight there). Good to hear from you, Ross, and thanks for the clarification that MxR is still going strong.

Hi Ross,

When the awaited case for MxR card adaptater will be available ?

I've heard about the nice carrying solution from Case Logic the JDS-4 & JDS-6 (I'd prefer the JDS-4 caus' it will fit better in my backpack even if i put two of them) but infortunately the shipping cost to Europe are superior to 25$ (for a product that only cost 4$... I gave up) And as far as i know we just can't find them in EU... only US import...

So we (but I mostly mean I) count on you to provide a well designed case for your little babies... (MxR Rocks!)

P.S: A soft case would be better to fit in hiker's backpack (small soft cases like the JDS-4 are perfect) but i assume that corporates videographers would be much more interrested by black glossy hard cases to blow the eyes out of their beloved customers.

Best regards and thanks for your products.

Looking forward to your products!
Great work Ross.

One more time - great product, great service,
received two more with cases, love em,
many thanks and all the best!

Wishful thinking...
 

I wish Sony could throw a nod to all the pioneers and entrepreneurs who have made SDHC work in the EX line. A third colleague of mine is going to go for the EX3 solely because they were sold on the 'SDHC plus Sunday Best SxS' economics.

Just ordered 2 MxR's + cases :) They shipped out in less than 24 hours - very cool. Thanks Ross
Looking forward to trying them.

Put in a order for some Transcend C6 16GB cards as well.

The cool thing is that 'just in case' you need more cards for whatever reason - you can hop over to a local best buy the night before a wedding and pick up a few SDHC cards.
I have five 16GB cards and two 8GB cards - but still sometimes i'm running right up to the edge. Always have to carry my HP 2133 in case I need to do a data dump - probably won't need that.

I saw a few people who tried the 32GB cards - anyone else try these - working out ok?

Thanks to everyone who provided all the excellent feedback - much appreciated

Paul

I raised this very point at a recent Sony Experience event - presented by Alister Chapman. The fact that SD cards were compatible with the EX3 gave me the final nod to make the camera purchase. The Sony Rep. tried very hard to convince me of the merits in using their own SxS cards, but in my opinion failed. For those rare times that I need to overcrank, I use the supplied 8gb card, otherwise for normal use, I use the Kensington adaptor together with a handful of Transcend 16gb cards - no problems at all.

MxR Card not mounting on desktop when inserted into NEW MacBook Pro 17"
 

I have just purchased a brand spanking shiny new 2.66 GHz, 350Gb MacBook Pro 17" with OS X 10.5.7.
Everything works like a dream.
I`ve done "Software Update" so all the Apple software, pre-installed, is up to date.
I`ve just loaded the latest EX Clip Browser from Sony-v.2.5, and loaded the SxS Driver into the system too.
My Sony SxS Cards faultlessly mount on the desktop when inserted into the MBP ExpressCard slot.
However, the MxR ExpressCard/16GB SanDisk and 16GB Transcend don`t mount-there`s no icon, nothing!!
Using the USB-ExpressCard Adaptor Cable mounts the MxR Cards fine but my colleagues who also use MxR Cards, say they can use both SxS and MxR Cards in the conveniant MBP Card slot.
My MxR Cards have been used for many months in full broadcast production with no problems whatsoever and I can easily, and faultlessly transfer files into my iMac with the USB Adaptor Cable but I would expect that the ExpressCard slot on the MBP should recognize the MxR Cards?!!
Is there a way to uninstall the SxS Driver to test if there is a conflict issue?

How frustrating.

MxR slightly larger?
 

my E-films MxR express card adapter seems to be slightly larger than the SxS card I own. It is harder to take out of my EX3 than the SxS. Is this normal? and does this have any effect on the connector pins inside the camera slots?

I doubt it's a serious enough issue to affect the connectors in the camera however yes, the MxR adaptors are slightly thicker. The other adaptors are around 0.3 to 0.5mm thinner depending on how I measured them with my dial vernier and fit better.

Hey Ross, Jigsaw, your UK stockist has MxR cards with cases. I unfortunately (sic) bought my four MxR cards prior to the cases being available. Tried to order them from your international site but you ain't selling to the UK. Jigsaw doesn't supply cases only. Solve that one mate. Please.

I got mine direct from Ross - is that no longer the case (no pun intended)?

Without wanting to sound like an utter MxR fanboy, the cases do rock though. Whatever the extra cost of shipping half way round the world, and abeit that it may seem to be paying for packaging and carting a lot of fresh air around, but once I re-jigged my bag layout to make room for 8 of them it's been a stress reducer.

I want their cases. Everything else is a compromise. When I tried to order from the Australian site and entered UK as address I was informed "can't do". Just to test, I left address the same but changed UK to USA and all was fine. Can only surmise it has to do with local UK distributor contracts. Jigsaw sells the cards with cases at a very nice price but not just cases. Bummer.

It looks like Ross has tried to engage a good UK source, as I bet they've been having nightmares. But that means it's Jigsaw's problem, not Ross's. Then here's the challenge to Jigsaw: bring in an extra batch of 'cases only' (£60 worth?) and sell separates, otherwise they are not worthy of being the UK 'distributor'. Merely a 'pusher'.

There is another UK distributor - I have just e-mailed them.

Bruce, I wouldn't diss Jigsaw. They are selling cards plus cases for £39. I bought cards only (didn't check Jigsaw) from "other distributor" for £50.

I was not intending to diss Jigsaw. It was stated that Jigsaw do not supply boxes so I thought I would try the other lot.

may all stories have a happy ending. I just contacted Prestons and asked if they had any MxR cases. Yupp, they replied and promptly mailed me four cases for the four cards I bought without boxes last month. Free of charge. No wonder they have a loyal client base.